Did you accidentally swipe right on the home screen and see the news feed, weather or recommendations from Google? This is the so-called zero screenwhich is built into most modern Android shells by default. For many users, it becomes a source of irritation, as it takes up space and consumes system resources.
Fortunately, this feature is not a system error or a virus. This is simply a software option that can be easily deactivated. The disabling process depends on the brand of your smartphone and the version of the installed shell. In this article, we will look at how to remove the extra panel on devices from Xiaomi, Samsung, Honor and other manufacturers.
Some users find this function useful for quick access to weather widgets or news. However, if you prefer minimalism and a clean desktop, removing the zero screen is the right solution to optimize the interface.
What is a zero screen and why do you need it
A zero screen is an additional work area located to the left of the main home screen. Most often, there is a news aggregator Google Discover, weather widgets, calendar widgets, or personalized recommendations from the smartphone manufacturer. On Samsung devices, this area is called Bixby Home or simply "Summary", and on Xiaomi - Google Feed or "Applications Feed".
The main purpose of this interface element is to provide the user with quick access to relevant information without having to open the browser or individual applications. The system analyzes your interests and suggests content that may be of interest to you. However, the algorithms are not always accurate, and the feed often turns into a dump of advertising articles and unnecessary notifications.
Disabling this function does not affect the operation of the smartphone itself, but may free up some RAM, since the background process of loading news will be stopped. This is especially true for budget models with small volume RAM.
It is important to understand that the location of the switch may differ on different versions of Android. In new updates, manufacturers sometimes change the names of menu items, so you should be careful when searching for the desired option.
If you cannot find the switch in the settings, try holding down an empty space on the desktop with your finger - often the desired menu item appears in the context menu of the launcher.
Removing the left screen on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones
Owners of devices with a shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS most often encounter the problem of an intrusive Google feed. Fortunately, Xiaomi developers have provided an easy way to disable this feature directly from the desktop settings.
You do not need to install third-party apps or get root access. Just go to the system settings and find the appropriate section. The interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models of the brand.
First open the application Settings on your device. Scroll down the list to the Desktopsection. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be located inside the category Advanced or System applications. If you are using an older firmware version, the path may look different.
In the menu that opens, find the item with the name Application feed or -1 screen. There will be a switch next to it. Move it to the inactive position. After that, when you swipe to the right, you will remain on the first desktop, and no news will be loaded.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm on Xiaomi
Sometimes after updating the system, the settings may be reset and the ribbon will appear again. In this case, simply repeat the procedure. It is also worth noting that on some global firmware versions this item may be called Google Discover.
Setting up the main screen on Samsung Galaxy
Smartphones from the Korean company Samsung use their own shell One UI, which has its own features for managing the workspace. Here, the zero screen is often associated with Bixby services or just a news summary.
To remove this screen, you need to use the desktop editing mode. This is done not through the standard phone settings menu, but through a long tap on a free area. This approach allows you to quickly change the interface configuration on the fly.
Press your finger on an empty space on any of the desktops. A control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen. Click on the button Settings (gear icon) or immediately find the switch Summary screen (or Bixby Home on older models).
Disable the toggle switch next to this item. Now swiping to the right will be blocked, and you will not be able to accidentally get into the news feed. On new models of the series Galaxy S i A this process takes literally a few seconds.
What to do if the switch is inactive?
If you cannot turn off the Summary screen, you may have a third-party launcher installed or power saving mode enabled, which blocks changes to the interface. Try rebooting the device.
It is worth mentioning that on some Samsung models the panel Samsung Freemay be displayed instead of the news feed. The principle of disabling is identical: we hold down the screen, go to settings and uncheck the box.
If you want to completely change the appearance of the desktop, you can install a third-party launcher, for example Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. In them, the control of the zero screen is implemented even more flexibly, allowing you to assign your actions to a swipe to the right.
Disable Google Discover on pure Android
Pixel, Motorola, Nokia smartphones and some OnePlus models run on almost “pure” Android or use lightweight shells close to the stock version. Here, the zero screen is almost always a service Google Discover.
Unlike custom firmware, in pure Android the setting is often hidden inside the Google application itself, and not in the phone’s system settings. This can be confusing for users who are used to looking for everything in one place.
Open the application Google (icon with the letter G). Click on your profile avatar in the upper right corner. In the drop-down menu, select the item Settings, and then go to the section General.
Find the switch Google screen (or Discover) and disable him. After this manipulation, the left screen will disappear. On some devices, this item may be duplicated in the launcher settings, but disabling it in the Google application is a priority.
| Smartphone brand | Function name | Where to look for the setting | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO | App Feed | Settings → Desktop | Low |
| Samsung Galaxy | Summary screen | Long tap → Settings | Low |
| Pixel / Motorola | Google Screen | Google Application → Settings | Medium |
| Honor / Huawei | Widget feed / News | Settings → Home screen | Low |
On pure Android, the shutdown occurs through the settings of the Google application itself, and not through the phone's system menu.
Specifics of Honor and Huawei devices
Devices of these brands have their own history of interface development. Older models with Google services used the standard Discover feed. On new devices running on HarmonyOS or EMUI without Google services, the situation is slightly different.
Here, the zero screen is often replaced by Widget Ribbon or Magazine Unlock (in some contexts). To remove it, hold down an empty space on the desktop and click on the button Home Screen Settings.
In the menu that opens, find the item Widget feed or News and turn it off. If you have the MagicOS shell from Honor installed, the path will be similar: Settings → Home screen and wallpaper → Additional.
Sometimes users confuse the zero screen with the magazine lock function. Make sure you disable right swipe on an unlocked device and do not change the lock screen wallpaper.
On Huawei devices without Google services, the news feed can be loaded from a local source. Disabling this item will also speed up the operation of the interface.
Solving problems if the switch does not work
There are situations when you found the desired switch, but it is inactive (gray) or turns back on after a reboot. This may be due to system limitations or app conflicts.
The first thing to do is check if the current launcher is third-party. Some custom shells intercept gesture control. Try temporarily returning the manufacturer's standard launcher through the menu Default applications.
The second option is to have active widgets that are “tied” to the zero screen. Try removing all widgets from the left screen before attempting to disconnect. Sometimes the system prohibits deleting a panel if important elements are attached to it.
If all else fails, you can use a more radical method - disabling the component via ADB (for advanced users). This will require connecting to a PC and entering the command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxThis command will disable the Google application, which is guaranteed to remove the feed, but will also deprive you of the voice assistant and search widgets. Use this method only as a last resort.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling system components via ADB can lead to unstable operation of the phone. Do this only if you understand the consequences and know how to revert the changes back.
How to return everything back through ADB?
To enable the component, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox. This will restore the search and feed functionality.
Alternative methods and third-party launchers
If the built-in settings of your smartphone do not allow flexible control of the zero screen, the best solution would be to install an alternative launcher. App stores offer dozens of options with different functionality.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher —the most popular choice, allowing you to completely disable swipes or assign them to launch specific applications.
- 🎨 Microsoft Launcher —an excellent alternative with its own news feed, which can be easily turned off in the launcher settings.
- ⚡ Smart Launcher —automatically sorts applications and has a minimalistic interface without extra screens by default.
After installing the new launcher, the system will ask which application to use for the default home screen. Select the installed option. Then go to its settings and find the section Gestures or Desktops.
There you can not only remove the zero screen, but also configure the action when you swipe up or double tap. This gives maximum control over the interface of your device.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party launcher, some branded widgets (for example, weather from Samsung or themes from Xiaomi) may stop working correctly.
Using third-party software is a compromise between functionality and stability. For most users, the standard settings are optimal, but launchers give freedom to those who want to customize every aspect of the system.
Why did the zero screen appear again after updating Android?
With major system updates (for example, the transition from Android 13 to 14), the launcher settings are often reset to factory settings. Manufacturers believe that new features should be enabled by default. You will need to disable the feed again through the settings.
Is it possible to remove the Google application to remove the feed?
You cannot completely remove the Google system application without root access. It can only be disabled in application settings or via ADB, but this will affect the operation of voice search and assistant.
Does disabling the zero screen affect the battery?
Yes, but not significantly. Background loading of news and updating widgets consumes a small percentage of the charge. Disabling this function will help save some energy, especially on older batteries.
What to do if the "Applications Feed" item has disappeared from the Xiaomi settings?
In new versions of HyperOS, this item could have been moved. Try to find it by searching in the settings for “Feed” or “Minus first screen”. Also check for system updates.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers?
Yes, launchers from the official Google Play store are safe. They do not have access to your personal data (passwords, photos) without special permission. However, download them only from trusted sources.